Pearl's Rooftop - West Hollywood

Hollywood glamour, the old-school starlets in gowns and elbow-high gloves, blowing kisses to their public and press as they step into an awaiting motor coach. Black and white stills, hand-cranked film and giant cameras shouldered by a nimble crew. This was the dream a long time ago, but the times have changed. The modern-day Hollywood dream looks a lot like the rooftop brunch at Pearl's. Their dining area is stunning in its throwback to nature, Instagrammable simple-chic decor, pillows and padded benches instead of glizy furniture, streams of sunlight to light up your social media stream instead of chandeliers.

I like to tell people about how much I hate this kind of setting. I hate anything trendy, and I still think social media is the biggest rotter of brains. But even the crankiest curmudgeon will crack a grin on Pearl's Rooftop, and my grin goes from ear to ear.

For starters, I'm in the best company, brunch with some of my most favorite people. And to start, we have THE KIT. Mimosas add the ultimate glam factor to any setting, and you get three flavors of fruit juice to change it up. The orange is a classic, the mango is my fave, and the guava is too pretty to refuse. They all mix together too if you're in an adventurous mood.

Sipping on an empty stomach is suicide, so make it go with some Steak & Eggs. There's no doubting the quality of the NY strip here, and the side of potatoes and eggs will fill you up.

They have your classics, and the menu is kind to the dietarily limited and the herbivores, but they don't forget to have a little fun with their sandos. The Pearl's Hot Chicken sizzles with scalding, perky cayenne pepper. Add a softer aioli and you have a party on your palate.

The Lobster Press is a bread-bath of butter-poached lobster silk with melty gruyere to fill in the gaps. The spicy-garlic ginger lobster broth is for dipping. It's not truly spicy, but it's concentrated for impact and is undeniably, drinkably delicious.

Pearl's may have some of the prettiest food in Weho. I don't know what they do for dinner, but they know how to throw a good brunch. I haven't been to place this conducive to catch-up and gossip for a long while, and it'll be another long while before I find another place this pretty unless I go back to Pearl's!